Internal problems has to be tackled: Prakash Singh

Hyderabad, Sept 27 (INN): Koutilya's Arthashastra defines state could be risk from four different kinds of threats as Internal, External, Externally aided internal and internally aided external. The Internal security scenario of the present position of our country has a mix of all the shades of threats as visualised by Koutilya says Padmashri Prakash Singh, 1959 batch retired IPS officer, who worked as DGP of Uttara Pradesh, Assam and Border Security Force.

Speaking as Chief Guest on the occasion of 20th Prof. S.Venugopal Rao Memorial lecture organised by Rao Bahadur Venkata Rama Reddy (RBVRR) Telangana State Police Academy on Tuesday, Prakash Singh delivered the lecture on 'Police Reforms and Internal Security. He said that although India has got independence in the year 1947, the country was facing the internal problems form then onwards. One way the relief and rehabilitation works on swing for the refugees, the north eastern India of Nagaland has been epicentre of armed insurrection in the year 1950, he said.

"The sparks later flew to Mizoram, Manipur, and Tripura. In the year 1960, the Left wing extremism has been described as the biggest internal security threat to the country. The ULFA of Assam has been blunted in the year 1970 and the leaders of the insurgent outfit have been demanding on recognition of 'Sovereignty' as pre condition for talks. The Khalistan movement in Panjab in the year 1980 and then onwards the International terrorism poses the greatest challenges to the security and stability of the country. The emergence of the ISIS in the Middle East and its concept of Caliphate has given a new dimension to the terrorist threat," he said.

Regarding police reforms, Prakash Singh said that police - population ratio to be enhanced. Half a million vacancies are to be filled up and the shortfalls of Transport, Communications and Forensics need to be made up. Housing has a direct impact on the welfare and morale of police personnel. The working hours of policemen are to be modified. Modernisation of police forces in Cyber security, Counter terrorism and use of technology are necessary, he said.

Telangana DGP Anurag Sharma, who presided over the meeting, said that he was very much proud of Telangana State police who are successfully facing of all multi dimensional challenges with their efficiency and working style of the police modernisation. Thanks to the State Chief Minister that the shortfalls in respect of Transport, Communications, Housing, Working Hours, Man power are getting fulfilled by the police department. The technology we are using is becoming a road map to the other states in respect of police reforms and internal security. However, there are lot more to learn from late Sri Venugopal Rao on his police vision and his perspective thoughts, he said.

RBVRR Telangana State Police Academy Director Dr. Ish Kumar said that Prof. Venugopal rao joined in IPS in the year 1949 and worked as SP for Srikakulam, Nellore and Guntur and retired as Director General of Bureau of Police Research and Development. He served in the Police Academy for few years and introduced the Criminology subject in the Police system. The Academy was conducting his memorial lectures for the last 19 years on various subjects inviting distinguished personalities in various fields. A book published on his memorial lectures was released by Chief Guest Sri Prakash Singh on occasion.

The meeting was attended by various senior police officers including the Commissioner of Police M. Mahender Reddy and IGPs, DIGs. The former DGPs of the state K.C.Reddy, Roddam Prabhakar Rao, H.J.Dora, Dr, B.Prasada Rao, Padmasri Dr.Subrahmanyam, Former Chief Election Commissioner J.M.Lyngdoh and various others attended.